The Startup Appalachia Accelerator is a 12-week hybrid program from Shaping Our Appalachian Region in partnership with KY Innovation that equips Eastern Kentucky entrepreneurs with the tools, mentors, and connections to launch investment-ready businesses.
Logistics
Who should apply
The Startup Appalachia Accelerator is open to entrepreneurs who are ready to take the next step in building their business.
You are a great fit if you:
Cost
I’ve been through several incubators, but this one stood out, mainly because of the hands-on mentorship from [SOAR Entrepreneur in Residence] Rick West. Meeting him and the other founders in person brought everything to life and made the experience genuinely impactful.
Through SOAR Innovation’s 1:1 coaching, networking, brainstorming, and relationship building, Sunflower Fuels has gained access to candidates for employment, prospective investors, and prospective customers. Thanks to SOAR Innovation’s support, I’ve not only strengthened my startup’s foundation but also expanded my network in ways I never imagined.
I came into SOAR’s Founders Weekend excited to share my idea, but I didn’t expect to find so many meaningful partnerships with other founders. I walked away with a clearer path to investment and real momentum… I can’t recommend the experience enough.
SOAR Innovation has been more than a program — it’s been a bridge. Their guidance, encouragement, and connections have helped transform MountainView from a dream into a growing company that represents what’s possible for entrepreneurs in Eastern Kentucky.
You don’t see many events like this in Appalachia… it’s the kind of quality you’d expect on the coast. Having something this strong right here is both rare and exciting.
Our curriculum takes entrepreneurs through step-by-step growth, from idea to investment readiness. The program is designed as a 12-week journey: six core sessions with off weeks built in for mentorship, applied learning, and expert support.
Workshop: Define what success looks like for your product or service. Learn how to use customer feedback to make meaningful improvements.
Coaching: Work directly with our Entrepreneur in Residence to assess your current version and create a plan for refinement.
Workshop: Identify your ideal customers and explore where and how to reach them.
Coaching: Review your outreach methods, set up early experiments, and get feedback on your customer approach.
Workshop: Learn how to design small, simple tests to understand customer interest and willingness to pay.
Coaching: Get help setting up your experiments and planning how to collect feedback during the accelerator.
Workshop: Explore basic pricing strategies and how to design a sustainable business model.
Coaching: Review your early financial assumptions and outline your first version of a revenue plan.
Workshop: Learn how to keep customers coming back through better systems and follow-up strategies.
Coaching: Analyze customer data and strengthen your approach to retention and repeat sales.
Workshop: Translate what you have learned into a plan for your next stage of growth.
Coaching: Create a 6–12 month roadmap and identify what support, connections, or funding you will need next.
Date: TBA
Startup Appalachia Demo Day is your opportunity to showcase your work, connect with mentors and investors, and gain regional recognition for your work. The event celebrates entrepreneurs who are building creative, high-impact startups that drive local growth and innovation. It is more than a presentation; it is a platform to launch your next stage of success and inspire others to start something of their own.